Kylian Mbappé reached a landmark 50 goals for Real Madrid as the Spanish giants came from behind to defeat Marseille 2-1 in their Champions League group stage clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.
The France forward converted two penalty kicks, in the 29th and 81st minutes, to secure the victory. Mbappé has now scored 50 goals in just 64 appearances for Real Madrid.
“It’s a pleasure to be here and experience another Champions League night,” Mbappé said. “It was a bit of a tough night because we went down to 10 men for a while, but we brought that Champions League spirit to the Bernabeu. It’s always like that at the Bernabeu, whatever happens. We always expect to win. Today we won and we’re very pleased.”
Marseille initially took the lead through Timothy Weah in the 22nd minute, and Madrid went down to ten men in the 72nd when Dani Carvajal was sent off for head-butting the goalkeeper.
“I’m feeling really good,” Mbappé added after scoring his sixth goal in five matches for Madrid this season. “I want us to move forward together in the same direction to win trophies.”
Speaking about the pressure of the penalties, Mbappé said: “I need that to produce my very best. So, I’m very pleased to have scored them and contributed to Madrid winning our first Champions League match of the new season.”
His brace also helped Real Madrid reach milestones of 200 wins and 700 goals in the Champions League era.
Mbappé, who was named man of the match, was Madrid’s top scorer last season, his first since joining from Paris Saint-Germain. “I don’t set limits for myself,” he said. “I just want to help the team: if that means scoring, then scoring; if it means pressing, then pressing; or if it means assisting, then assisting. I want to do whatever the team needs me to do.”
The 26-year-old forward also praised new Madrid coach Xabi Alonso’s approach. “He wants us to win the ball back quickly. We have to understand what we’re doing and, once we grasp that, we have the determination to do it because we want to win,” Mbappé said. “I always do what the coach wants. Today he asked me to press forward to help because we have a high block to recover a lot of balls. We’re going to get more used to doing that, it’ll become easier and it’ll help the team win trophies.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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